About Hickeys

A hickey is a red mark on an individual's skin caused by a suction on the area. Usually hickeys are made with another individual's mouth while kissing, biting or sucking on the person's neck. Hickeys are a way of "making your mark" on someone you have been intimately close with because hickeys can last a long time. The most common excuse people give when accused of having a hickey is, "I ran into a doorknob." Turtlenecks are frequently worn to hide hickeys.

Significance

Hickeys are not dangerous, but they are caused by burst blood vessels under the skin. A hickey is considered by doctors to be a minor hematoma, but you do not need to see a doctor if you acquire a hickey. If you see red bruising on your skin, and a person has not been sucking or biting your skin, see a doctor.

Size

Hickeys can be small or large depending on how long and in how many places the skin is sucked on or bitten. The hickey may fade with time, but it will probably remain at its normal size for about a week to two weeks. After this period of time, the hickey will slowly fade and shrink in size. There are ways to shrink the hickey yourself. Refer to the "Prevention/Solution" section below.

Features

Hickeys are usually blotchy and red or purplish in color. Hickeys are most usually found on the neck but can be made just about anywhere on the human body. You can even give a hickey to yourself by biting and sucking on the skin on your arm. Hickeys are frequently a sign of popularity among young teenagers, so a person may "fake" a hickey by giving it to himself for social status or attention.

Misconceptions

If you see a red or purple mark on a person's neck, do not automatically assume it is a hickey. Violin players frequently acquire similar red marks on their neck because of the pressure of the violin's chin rest. Do not taunt or laugh at a person if it looks like they have a hickey as something else may have made the mark.

Prevention/Solution

Hickeys fade and shrink in size over time. One way to speed up the healing process is to freeze a spoon and place it over the hickey while turning the spoon clockwise. Another fast-acting hickey hider is a bottle of eye drops designed to eliminate red eye. Place a few drops on the hickey, and it will push blood vessels away from the surface of your skin temporarily. The best way to stay away from hickeys is to talk with your partner ahead of time. If you have something important to do the next day, ask them to hold off on the hickeys until you have a few days to wear turtlenecks.

Resources

• How to Get Rid of Hickeys.
• HealthScout.com on Hematoma.
• How to Give a Hickey.

Photo Credit

http://www.sxc.hu/profile/ela23

[angilagibney]

on 2/3/2009 very good article